A Comprehensive Guide to Accessing Free and Low-Cost Prescription Medications in the United States

A Roadmap to Affordable Medications: An Introduction for Patients and Caregivers

Acknowledging the Challenge

The high cost of prescription drugs in the United States presents a significant financial and emotional burden for millions of individuals and their families. Navigating the complex healthcare landscape to find affordable medications can feel overwhelming and isolating. This report serves as a comprehensive and empowering guide, designed to equip patients and caregivers with the knowledge and tools necessary to access prescribed treatments without incurring prohibitive costs. It validates the search for assistance and provides structured pathways toward affordable healthcare.

The Core Principle: Free vs. Affordable

To effectively use this guide, it is essential to understand the distinction between programs that offer medications at absolutely no cost and those that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Some programs, particularly those from drug manufacturers, can provide a direct supply of medication for free. Other avenues, such as government subsidies and non-profit grants, work to make medications affordable by covering costs like copayments and deductibles. Setting clear expectations about the type of assistance available from different sources is the first step toward a successful search.

Your First Step: Know Your Status

The single most important factor determining the right path to affordable medication is insurance status. The strategies available to an individual with no health insurance are fundamentally different from those available to someone covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or a private commercial plan. This guide is structured to help navigate these different paths, creating a decision-making framework based on one’s specific coverage situation. Identifying this status—uninsured, underinsured, or insured through a government or private plan—is the critical starting point.

How to Use This Guide

This report is organized to present the most direct routes to obtaining medications at no cost first, followed by strategies for substantially reducing costs. It begins with an in-depth analysis of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and government aid programs. It then explores the crucial role of non-profit organizations and the utility of prescription discount cards. The report concludes with essential information on identifying and avoiding scams, ensuring a safe and effective search for assistance.

The Foundation of Free Medication: Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)

What Are PAPs and How Do They Work?

Patient Assistance Programs, commonly known as PAPs, are programs sponsored directly by pharmaceutical manufacturers.¹ Their primary purpose is to serve as a safety net, providing the company’s own brand-name medications to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford them.³ These programs represent one of the most direct pathways to obtaining expensive or newer medications at absolutely no cost.⁵ The assistance is typically provided as a direct supply of the drug, often shipped to the patient’s home or doctor’s office. This support is usually granted for a defined period, such as 12 months, after which the patient must re-enroll in the program to continue receiving the medication.⁷

Am I Eligible? A Deep Dive into Common Requirements

Eligibility for PAPs is stringent and acts as a gatekeeper to these valuable resources. While criteria vary between manufacturers, several common requirements apply.

• Insurance Status: This is the primary filter. Most PAPs are designed for patients who are uninsured or “underinsured”.¹ In this context, underinsured means that a person has health insurance, but it does not cover the specific medication they need, or the out-of-pocket costs are unmanageably high. A crucial distinction exists for those with government-sponsored insurance. Some major programs, such as those offered by GSK and Pfizer, may provide assistance to patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid who cannot afford their copayments.⁵ However, these same programs often explicitly exclude individuals with private commercial insurance obtained through an employer.⁸
• Income Level: Financial need is almost universally assessed based on the applicant’s annual household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Eligibility thresholds vary by program and sometimes by medication type (e.g., primary care vs. specialty drugs), but a common cutoff is a household income at or below 300% to 400% of the FPL.⁶ For example, the Novo Nordisk PAP specifies an income at or below 400% of the FPL.⁶
• Residency and Prescription: Applicants must be a legal resident of the United States or a U.S. territory and possess a valid prescription for an FDA-approved use of the medication from a healthcare provider licensed in the U.S..¹

The Application Process Demystified: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the PAP application process requires organization and a partnership with one’s healthcare team.

• Step 1: Finding the Right Program: The first step is to identify the manufacturer of the prescribed medication. Assistance is brand-specific, so the patient must apply to the PAP of the company that makes their drug. Program aggregator tools, discussed in Section 6, can help with this identification process.
• Step 2: Gathering Your Documentation: Applicants must provide evidence of their financial situation and residency. Preparing these documents in advance can expedite the process. Common requirements include proof of income, such as federal tax returns (Form 1040), W-2 forms, recent pay stubs, or statements of Social Security or other benefits.⁶ Proof of residency may also be required.¹
• Step 3: Partnering with Your Healthcare Provider: The involvement of the prescribing healthcare provider is non-negotiable. The provider or a member of their clinical staff must complete and sign a section of the application form to confirm the diagnosis and verify the prescription.¹ To make this process smoother for the provider’s office, patients should complete all of their own sections of the application beforehand.
• Step 4: Submission and Follow-Up: Applications can typically be submitted online, by fax, or through the mail.⁶ After submission, it is wise to follow up to confirm the application was received and to check on its status. Approval can take several weeks.⁹

The structure of these programs reveals that they are often intended as a final safety net. Many PAPs require proof that a patient has no insurance or that their insurance has formally denied coverage for the medication.¹ Some, like Pfizer’s, go a step further and require Medicare beneficiaries to first enroll in other programs, such as the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, before they can be considered for assistance.⁸ This demonstrates that applying to a PAP is frequently the last step in a sequence that may involve navigating insurance denials or other government aid programs first.

This model, while providing a crucial lifeline to individuals, also serves the interests of the pharmaceutical companies. By selectively offering their products for free to a small segment of the population—those who are both in need and able to navigate the complex application process—manufacturers can mitigate public pressure for price controls that could arise if large numbers of people were unable to access a vital medicine. This allows them to maintain high list prices for the much larger insured market, thereby generating goodwill while helping to stabilize the pricing structure that makes the assistance programs necessary in the first place.

Table: A Quick-Reference Guide to Major Pharmaceutical PAPs

The following table consolidates information for several major manufacturer-sponsored programs, providing a starting point for patients seeking assistance.

Manufacturer	Program Name	Key Eligibility Notes	Contact Information
AstraZeneca	AZ&Me	May be eligible if uninsured or if insurance does not cover the specific drug.3	Website: Cost Assistance with AIRSUPRA; Phone: 866-480-0030 3
GSK	GSK Patient Assistance Program	May qualify if you have Medicare or no insurance.5	Website: GSK Patient Assistance Program; Phone: 888-825-5249 5
Lilly	Lilly Cares Foundation	Provides free medication for up to 12 months to qualifying U.S. patients with financial need.7	Website: LillyCares.com 7
Novartis	Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation	For U.S. residents who meet income guidelines. Must be treated on an outpatient basis.9	Website: pap.novartis.com; Phone: 800-277-2254 9
Novo Nordisk	Patient Assistance Program (PAP)	U.S. citizen/legal resident with household income at/below 400% FPL. Must have Medicare or no insurance; not eligible for other government programs like Medicaid.6	Website: NovoCare.com 6
Pfizer	Pfizer Patient Assistance Program	For uninsured or government-insured patients unable to afford co-pays. Income cannot exceed 300% FPL for most drugs. Commercially insured are not eligible.8	Website: PfizerRxPathways.com; Phone: 844-989-7284 8
Teva	Teva Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program	Provides certain Teva medicines at no cost to U.S. residents who meet specific insurance and income criteria.3	Website: Teva Cares Foundation; Phone: 888-838-2872 3

Leveraging Government Support for Prescription Costs

Medicare Part D “Extra Help” (Low-Income Subsidy – LIS)

The Medicare Part D Extra Help program, also known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is a federal program designed to help Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources pay for their prescription drug costs.¹⁰ This assistance can significantly lower or even eliminate monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription copayments.¹⁰ An additional benefit is that individuals who qualify for Extra Help are exempt from the Part D late enrollment penalty.¹¹

Some individuals qualify for Extra Help automatically. This includes those who:

• Receive full Medicaid coverage.¹¹
• Get assistance from their state through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to pay for their Part B premiums.¹¹
• Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration.¹¹

Those who do not qualify automatically but have limited income and resources can apply directly. The application can be completed online via the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, or an appointment can be scheduled by phone for assistance.¹⁰ To complete the application, individuals will need to provide financial documentation for themselves and their spouse, including bank statements, tax returns, and statements for any pensions, retirement accounts (like an IRA or 401(k)), or other benefits.¹⁰

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)

SPAPs are state-run programs created to help eligible residents pay for their prescription medications.¹² These programs vary dramatically from one state to another in terms of who is eligible, what is covered, and how the program functions.¹² Fewer than half of all states offer an SPAP.¹⁴

A common function of SPAPs is to provide “wraparound” coverage for people enrolled in Medicare Part D, meaning the state program helps pay for costs that Part D does not cover.¹² Eligibility rules are state-specific. Some states may require applicants to be enrolled in Medicare but unable to qualify for the federal Extra Help program, while other SPAPs are designed to assist people with specific chronic conditions, such as HIV/AIDS.¹² These latter programs are often called AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs).

Table: State-by-State Guide to SPAPs and Discount Programs

The availability and names of programs differ in each state. The following table, based on data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, provides a guide to programs available across the country.¹²

State	State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP)	Discount Rx Programs
Arizona	Arizona AIDS Drug Assistance Program	Arizona CoppeRx Card
California	AIDS Drug Assistance Program	California Drug Discount Program for Medicare Recipients
Florida	AIDS Drug Assistance Program	Florida Discount Drug Card Program
Illinois	Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program	N/A
Maine	Maine Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled	Maine Rx Plus
Maryland	Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program, Maryland Senior Drug Assistance Program	N/A
Massachusetts	Prescription Advantage	N/A
Michigan	Michigan Drug Assistance Program (MIDAP)	Michigan Prescription Savings Program (MiRx)
Missouri	MoRx	N/A
New Jersey	NJ AIDS Drug Distribution Program (NJADDP), Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD), NJ Senior Gold Discount Card Program	N/A
New York	NYS Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program, NYS Uninsured Care Programs	N/A
Ohio	Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP)	Ohio Golden Buckeye Program
Pennsylvania	Chronic Renal Disease Program (CRDP), PACE, PACENET, Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program/ADAP	N/A
Texas	Texas Kidney Health Care Program, Texas HIV Medication Program	N/A
Washington	Washington HIV Care	Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP)

Other Key Government Programs

• Medicaid and CHIP: These are joint federal and state programs that provide comprehensive health and prescription drug coverage to millions of low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.³
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits: Veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system may be eligible to receive their prescription medications through the VA at a low cost or for free.⁶
• Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP): This is a specialized federal program that can be activated after a federally declared disaster. It helps uninsured individuals in the affected area get prescriptions, vaccines, and medical supplies they need.¹⁵

The landscape of government assistance is not a single, cohesive system but rather a patchwork of programs created over time to address specific needs and policy priorities. The existence of SPAPs shows that states recognized gaps in prescription coverage for their residents long before the federal Medicare Part D benefit was fully implemented.¹² The creation of ADAPs was a direct policy response to the HIV/AIDS public health crisis.¹² This historical development means that the programs are not always intuitive. Furthermore, they are designed to interact; for example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) coordinates data with SPAPs, and an application for federal Extra Help can automatically trigger an application for a state-level Medicare Savings Program.¹¹ For the patient, this means eligibility for one program can directly impact benefits from another, creating a complex web of assistance that requires careful navigation.

The Role of Non-Profits: Filling the Gaps

Copay Assistance Foundations: Help for the Insured

A vital segment of the healthcare safety net is composed of non-profit organizations, often called copay assistance foundations or charities. These organizations serve a specific and critical purpose: they help patients who have health insurance but still face unaffordable out-of-pocket costs for their medications.³ This assistance typically covers expenses like copayments, health insurance premiums, and deductibles.¹⁸

These foundations operate by maintaining distinct disease funds, such as a breast cancer fund, an asthma fund, or a Crohn’s disease fund.¹⁹ A patient can only receive assistance if a fund for their specific diagnosis is currently open and accepting applications. Eligibility generally requires U.S. residency, a diagnosis that matches an open fund, and a household income that falls within the program’s guidelines, which is often up to 400% or 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.¹⁷

This non-profit ecosystem is clearly segmented by a patient’s insurance status. While the manufacturer-run PAPs discussed in Section 2 primarily serve the uninsured, these copay foundations explicitly require patients to be insured to qualify for help.¹⁷ This creates a division of labor where different organizations target different gaps in the healthcare system. Understanding this segmentation is crucial for patients to avoid wasting time applying to programs for which they are ineligible.

The very existence of this multi-billion dollar non-profit sector highlights a fundamental challenge within the American healthcare system. Insurance is designed to make healthcare affordable, yet the prevalence of high-deductible plans and soaring costs for specialty drugs means that even insured individuals are often unable to access necessary treatments. The need for a secondary financial system, funded in part by donations from the pharmaceutical industry itself, to help people use the insurance they already pay for demonstrates that the insurance products themselves can be inadequate. Patients are often caught between their primary insurance and this secondary system designed to patch its holes.

Table: Leading Non-Profit Copay Assistance Organizations

The following table lists some of the most prominent non-profit foundations that provide financial assistance to insured patients.

Organization	Primary Focus	General Income Guideline	Contact Information
PAN Foundation	Copay, premium, and transportation assistance for over 70 chronic and rare diseases.17	Varies by fund; often up to 400-500% FPL.17	Website: panfoundation.org; Phone: 866-316-7263 3
HealthWell Foundation	Copay, premium, and deductible help for a variety of chronic and life-altering illnesses.3	Up to 300-500% FPL, adjusted for cost of living.18	Website: healthwellfoundation.org; Phone: 800-675-8416 18
Good Days	Copay, travel, premium, and diagnostic testing support for specific chronic conditions.3	Typically at or below 500% FPL.17	Website: mygooddays.org; Phone: 877-968-7233 3
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief	Prescription drug copay assistance for specific conditions, with some funds focused on health equity in certain geographic areas.17	Varies by fund; requires insurance.17	Website: copays.org; Phone: 866-512-3861 17
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)	Financial assistance for blood cancer treatment-related copays and insurance premiums.17	At or below 500% FPL.17	Website: lls.org; Phone: 877-557-2672 17
Accessia Health	Provides specialty pharmacy services and helps patients apply to assistance programs.3	Varies by program.	Website: accessiahealth.org; Phone: 800-366-7741 21

An Innovative Solution: Drug Donation and Repository Programs

A less common but highly impactful model for providing free medication involves drug donation and redistribution. Organizations such as SIRUM and SafeNetRx have developed systems to collect unexpired, unused medications from sources like nursing homes, manufacturers, and pharmacies that would otherwise be destroyed.²² This surplus medicine is then safely redirected to community clinics and charitable pharmacies, which dispense it to patients in need.²² This model offers a dual benefit: it prevents billions of dollars worth of medication from going to waste and provides life-saving treatments to underserved populations who often lack insurance.²³ Access to these programs is typically through a participating community health facility rather than by direct application from an individual.

Reducing Costs When Free Isn’t an Option: Prescription Discount Cards

How Discount Cards and Coupons Work

Prescription discount cards and coupon services, such as GoodRx, SingleCare, and ScriptSave WellRx, offer another avenue for lowering medication costs. It is critical to understand that these services are not insurance.²⁴ They are typically for-profit companies that function as discount aggregators. They negotiate lower prices directly with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmacies and pass a portion of those savings on to consumers.²⁶ The process for the user is simple: search for a medication on the company’s website or mobile app, obtain a free digital or physical coupon, and present it to the pharmacist at the point of sale to receive a discounted price.²⁷

A Critical Evaluation: The Pros and Cons

These services can be a valuable tool, particularly for individuals who are uninsured or are in the high-deductible phase of their insurance plan. The savings can be substantial, with some companies advertising discounts of up to 80% or more off the pharmacy’s cash price, especially for common generic medications.²⁶ However, patients with insurance should always compare the discount card price with their plan’s copay, as the insurance price may be lower.²⁹

Important Caveats and Common Complaints: The “Hidden Costs”

While seemingly straightforward, using prescription discount cards involves significant trade-offs that are not always apparent.

• Data Privacy: Unlike insurance companies and pharmacies, most discount card companies are not bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means they are legally permitted to collect, analyze, and sell user data—including information about the specific drugs a person is taking—to third parties like Google and Facebook for marketing and research purposes.²⁹ This represents a considerable privacy risk.
• Financial Impact on Deductibles: This is a major financial pitfall. Payments made using a discount card are processed outside of one’s insurance plan. Therefore, the money spent does not count toward the plan’s annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.³⁰ A patient might save money on a single prescription but ultimately pay more over the course of the year by delaying the point at which their insurance begins to cover a larger share of costs.
• Pharmacy Pushback: The business model of discount cards involves the company taking a transaction fee from the pharmacy for each prescription filled using their coupon. This fee, combined with the discounted price, often means the pharmacy makes very little profit or even loses money on the sale.²⁹ This financial pressure can lead some pharmacies, especially smaller independent ones, to be reluctant to accept the cards or to stop participating in the programs altogether.²⁹
• Controlled Substances: Some pharmacies have policies against accepting discount cards for controlled substances. They may view the use of a discount card for these medications as a compliance “red flag” that requires additional scrutiny or may refuse the transaction entirely.³⁰

These factors reveal that discount cards operate as a “shadow” payment system, existing entirely in parallel to traditional insurance. To use them effectively, a patient must become a savvy consumer, actively managing two separate systems. This requires comparing prices for every prescription and making a calculated decision based not only on the immediate cost but also on the long-term impact on their deductible and their comfort with the privacy trade-offs. The very existence and success of this model is a symptom of the larger, dysfunctional U.S. drug market, thriving on the price opacity and misaligned incentives between manufacturers, PBMs, and pharmacies.

Essential Tools and Resources for Your Search

Navigating the Maze: Program Aggregators and Databases

The search for assistance can be daunting. Fortunately, several free online tools act as centralized databases, consolidating information from hundreds of different programs. Instead of visiting the website of every drug manufacturer or non-profit, patients can use these aggregators as a powerful starting point.

• NeedyMeds: A non-profit organization that maintains a comprehensive website with information on thousands of assistance programs. Users can search for Patient Assistance Programs, copay assistance, state programs, and diagnosis-based aid. The site also provides information on low-cost medical and dental clinics.⁸
• RxAssist: Operated by the Center for Primary Care at UMass Chan Medical School, RxAssist offers a large, continuously updated database of Patient Assistance Programs. The database is searchable by drug name or manufacturer, providing a direct link to program information and application forms.²
• Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT): MAT is a search engine sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). It is designed specifically to help patients, caregivers, and providers connect with the various assistance programs offered by biopharmaceutical companies.⁴
• BenefitsCheckUp®: This is a free service provided by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It is an online screening tool that helps older adults and people with disabilities find a wide array of benefits programs they may be eligible for, including prescription drug assistance, food and nutrition services, and help with utility bills.³

Staying Safe: How to Identify and Avoid Prescription Assistance Scams

The Anatomy of a Scam: Preying on Desperation

The complexity of the healthcare system and the desperation many feel when facing high medication costs create a fertile ground for scams. Fraudulent operators exploit this vulnerability by offering false hope and easy solutions.

Red Flags of Fraudulent “Assistance” Programs

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be vigilant. The following are clear red flags of a potential scam:

• Charging Fees for Free Information: Legitimate Patient Assistance Programs and their application forms are always free. Scammers often charge a fee to “enroll” a patient in a program or to provide them with the exact same application forms that are available for free from the manufacturer or online databases.³³
• Unrealistic Promises: Scammers make grandiose claims, such as offering a single product that cures many different diseases, guaranteeing results, or promising “miraculous” outcomes.³⁵
• High-Pressure Tactics: Fraudulent operations often use high-pressure sales tactics, telling consumers they must “act now” or threatening that their Medicare or Social Security benefits will be terminated if they do not pay for a service.³⁵
• Impersonating Government Officials: Scammers may call and claim to be a “healthcare navigator” or a representative from Medicare or the Affordable Care Act to trick individuals into providing personal information like their Medicare or Social Security number.³⁶

The Dangers of Illegitimate Online Pharmacies

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issue frequent warnings about the extreme dangers of purchasing from fake or rogue online pharmacies.³⁸ These websites often sell medications that are:

• Counterfeit: The drugs may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient, or incorrect dosages.³⁸
• Contaminated: In a growing and deadly trend, counterfeit pills sold online have been found to be laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.³⁹
• Unsafe: The products may be expired, may have been stored improperly, or may come in damaged packaging with foreign-language labeling.³⁸

Checklist: How to Vet a Program or Online Pharmacy

To verify the legitimacy of a program or pharmacy, ask the following questions:

• Does the pharmacy require a valid prescription from my doctor? Legitimate pharmacies always do.³⁸
• Is it a U.S.-based, state-licensed pharmacy with a physical address and phone number? The FDA’s BeSafeRx website has tools to check a pharmacy’s license.³⁸
• Is the assistance program or application completely free? Legitimate PAPs do not charge fees.³⁴
• Am I being pressured to make a decision or pay immediately? This is a major red flag.³⁵
• Does the offer sound too good to be true? If it does, it probably is.³⁶

How to Report a Scam

If an individual encounters a suspected scam, they should report it to the proper authorities. Health fraud and deceptive discount card schemes can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by calling 877-FTC-HELP.³⁴ Unsafe online pharmacies and counterfeit drugs should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch program and the Office of Criminal Investigations.³⁸

Conclusion: Empowering Your Healthcare Journey

Summary of Key Strategies

Navigating the maze of prescription assistance is possible with a clear, strategic approach based on one’s insurance status. The pathways can be summarized as follows:

• If Uninsured: The primary starting point should be the manufacturer’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP). Use aggregator tools like NeedyMeds and RxAssist to find the correct program for a specific brand-name medication.
• If on Medicare: The first and most critical step is to apply for the federal Extra Help program through the Social Security Administration. Concurrently, investigate the availability of a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) in one’s state.
• If Commercially Insured: The focus should be on non-profit copay assistance foundations. Search for a foundation that has an open fund for a specific medical condition.
• For All Individuals: Prescription discount cards can serve as a useful backup or comparison tool. However, they must be used with a full understanding of the significant trade-offs regarding data privacy and the impact on insurance deductibles.

The Power of Self-Advocacy

The American healthcare system is undeniably complex. However, being persistent, organized, and proactive can lead to substantial savings and access to necessary treatments. The most effective approach involves working in close partnership with one’s healthcare provider, who is an essential ally in the application process. While the system presents challenges, the resources and strategies outlined in this report can make it navigable. By leveraging these tools, individuals can empower themselves, take control of their prescription costs, and advocate effectively for their health and financial well-being.

Works cited

1. Patient Assistance Programs: What Are They and How Do They …, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/patient-advocacy/what-are-patient-assistance-programs
2. RxAssist – Patient Assistance Programs, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.rxassist.org/
3. Drug Assistance Programs | AAFA.org, accessed August 12, 2025, https://aafa.org/advocacy/advocacy-resources/patient-assistance-medicine-drug-programs/
4. Prescription Drug Coverage: Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) – AZ DB101, accessed August 12, 2025, https://az.db101.org/az/programs/health_coverage/prescription/program2g.htm
5. aafa.org, accessed August 12, 2025, https://aafa.org/advocacy/advocacy-resources/patient-assistance-medicine-drug-programs/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20Medicare%20or,call%20888%2D825%2D5249.
6. Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) – NovoCare, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.novocare.com/diabetes/help-with-costs/pap.html
7. What is Lilly Cares | Lilly Cares, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.lillycares.com/
8. For Patients | Pfizer RxPathways, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/resources/patients
9. Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, accessed August 12, 2025, https://pap.novartis.com/
10. Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help program | SSA, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
11. Help with drug costs | Medicare, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs
12. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs
13. SPAP basics – Medicare Interactive, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.medicareinteractive.org/understanding-medicare/cost-saving-programs/state-pharmaceutical-assistance-programs-spaps/spap-basics
14. Prescription Help from States and Drug Manufacturers – National Council on Aging, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ncoa.org/article/prescription-help-from-states-and-drug-manufacturers/
15. Emergency Prescription Assistance Program – Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, accessed August 12, 2025, https://aspr.hhs.gov/EPAP/Pages/default.aspx
16. Prescription Drug Assistance Programs – CMS, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coordination-benefits-recovery/prescription-drug-assistance-programs
17. Charity programs that help pay for prescriptions – Medicare Rights Center, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.medicarerights.org/fliers/Help-With-Drug-Costs/copay_charities.pdf?nrd=1
18. Patients – HealthWell Foundation, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/patients/
19. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program, accessed August 12, 2025, https://copays.org/
20. PAN Foundation – Patient financial assistance, advocacy, and …, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.panfoundation.org/
21. Affordability – AstraZeneca US, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/medicines/Affordability.html
22. SafeNetRx – Donate Meds. Change Lives., accessed August 12, 2025, https://safenetrx.org/
23. SIRUM – Saving Medicine : Saving Lives, accessed August 12, 2025, https://sirum.org/
24. SingleCare: The Best Prescription Prices, Discounts & Coupons, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.singlecare.com/
25. Prescription Discount Card – GoodRx, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.goodrx.com/discount-card
26. GoodRx: Prescription Prices, Coupons & Pharmacy Information, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.goodrx.com/
27. Free Prescription Discount Card – ScriptSave WellRx, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.wellrx.com/rx-discount-card/enroll/
28. Rx Savings Finder – Find coupons for Prescriptions | Walgreens, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/rx-savings-finder.jsp
29. How do Prescription Discount Cards Work? An Honest Look – Community Pharmacy, accessed August 12, 2025, https://communitypharmacy.com/2021/06/how-do-prescription-discount-cards-work/
30. My local CVS claims they never ever do discount cards for controlled substances – Reddit, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CVS/comments/1l6tsca/my_local_cvs_claims_they_never_ever_do_discount/
31. Can a pharmacy refuse to use a discount card? : r/Insurance – Reddit, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Insurance/comments/18xtfe0/can_a_pharmacy_refuse_to_use_a_discount_card/
32. NeedyMeds, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.needymeds.org/
33. FTC: Consumers Do Not Need to Pay for Information on Free Drugs, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2004/11/ftc-consumers-do-not-need-pay-information-free-drugs
34. Court Halts Deceptive Free Prescription Claims | Federal Trade Commission, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2005/10/court-halts-deceptive-free-prescription-claims
35. Common Health Scams | Consumer Advice, accessed August 12, 2025, https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/common-health-scams
36. SCAM GRAM – Voter Voice, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/ConsumerAction/newsletters/42346
37. FTC Stops Marketers of Phony Health Care ‘Discount’ Schemes Directed at Older Americans and Spanish-Speaking Consumers, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2014/09/ftc-stops-marketers-phony-health-care-discount-schemes-directed-older-americans-spanish-speaking
38. How to Buy Medicines Safely From an Online Pharmacy – FDA, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-buy-medicines-safely-online-pharmacy
39. DEA Issues Warning About Illegal Online Pharmacies, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-issues-warning-about-illegal-online-pharmacies
40. Counterfeit Medicine – FDA, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/counterfeit-medicine
41. Illegal Online Pharmacies – DEA.gov, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.dea.gov/resources/illegal-online-pharmacies
42. Internet Pharmacy Warning Letters – FDA, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-integrity/internet-pharmacy-warning-letters